THE REVOLUTIONARY philosopher Karl Marx was one of the most influential thinkers of modern times. He had a vision of a world where everyone is equal, the rich do not exploit the poor, and we all live together in harmony. He urged the workers of the world to rise up against their rulers and establish a people’s utopia. Beginning with the Russian Revolution in 1917, the ideals of Marx and those like him inspired the creation of communist states in dozens of countries. Many people believed that civilisation was on the brink of a glorious new age. Karl Marx was an atheist. He had faith in the human spirit—he believed that given the right conditions people can build a perfect society without the need for God. Here we are, a hundred years or so later, and we have the benefit of hindsight. Even the most ardent communist has to admit
The Brotherhood of Man
